10 IKEA Holiday Decorating Ideas Worth Stealing: 2014 Edition

Ikea stylists are good at showing us common folk how to style our homes in inspirational ways for the holidays. You don’t need to shop at the Swedish giant in order to have a festive and fun household this season. Follow these tips, tricks, and suggestions to do it yourself.

TOP ROW:

Hang Ornaments on the Wall: Perfect for small spaces, wall-hung “trees” have all the festive feeling without the large footprint.

Pair Contrasting Surfaces: Gold and matte black are total opposites, but when combined make for a nice balance of shiny and grounded.

Make It Messy: The holidays are all about making merry — not perfection. It’s okay if things fall out of line or don’t match entirely.

Try a Trend: It’s okay to mix in a few minor elements that might not stand the test of time. DIY dipped ornaments are totally on trend, and a great way to freshen up old decorations without spending a lot on totally new stuff

BOTTOM ROW:

Group Decorations in Clusters for More Impact: This collection of otherwise basic gift-wrapped presents is made more dramatic and note-worthy when grouped and stacked all together.

Go For Drama: If you already chose an artificial tree, why not take it to the next level and do something unique? Ikea did a two-tone half-and-half job, but any crazy spray paint job is possible. If you don’t want to volunteer your tree for the job, do a smaller wreath instead.

Drape String Lights Vertically: Multi-purpose classics like string lights work well OFF the tree too. When hung vertically, they are an artsy yet casual alternative to the usual draping.

Add Warm Fuzzies: Layer in different types of lighting and textiles to create a cozy — yet special — atmosphere. Turn off the TV and overheads and enjoy the candlelight and snuggling under warm throws instead.